Continental rolls out drive tire for both regional and linehaul needs

LOUISVILLE, KY. -- Arguing that in today's challenging North American economy, carriers require flexibility, Continental Tire has launched a drive tire that addresses the needs of fleets who want to run both linehaul and regional applications...

March 20, 2013
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Truck News

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LOUISVILLE, KY. — Arguing that in today’s challenging North American economy, carriers require flexibility, Continental Tire has launched a drive tire that addresses the needs of fleets who want to run both linehaul and regional applications without changing their tires.

Offering what Continental called the “drive tire trifecta of mileage, fuel efficiency and traction,” the all-new Conti Hybrid HD3 was unveiled at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville.

“Trucking fleets today require not only advanced technology, but the ability to utilize the same tire whether they are operating in line-haul or regional applications,” said executive vice-president Paul Williams.

The Conti Hybrid HD3 is now Continental’s widest dual drive tire, at 248 mm, with 27/32nds tread depth in a new regenerating pattern that is cut in three dimensions, said director of truck tire technologies Libor Heger. The combination of these characteristics and a large tread volume allows for long tread life, as well as a larger footprint that provides excellent traction when operated on highway, according to Williams.

The traction requirements for regional traffic, which often include changing weather conditions and curved roads, have also been addressed via the Conti Hybrid HD3’s tread geometry to provide grip throughout the life of the product.

The three-dimensional lateral sipes and a directional tread pattern provide more gripping edges on the road surface than a traditional drive tire. These sipes also support the tread blocks against forces from the drivetrain, retarder and wheel brake system to achieve traction and braking force transfer. An open shoulder also gives ideal grip and directional control for this application.

When operated in long-haul conditions, the new Conti Hybrid HD3 reduces fuel consumption versus Continental’s traditional regional and mileage drive tires, the company says. With advanced tread cap compounding, a self-stabilizing rib-block pattern, and minimized tread deformation from a stiff shoulder, drivers can expect more than 10% improvement in rolling resistance against Continental’s HDR2 and HDL2 DL.

The Conti Hybrid HD3 will be available from Continental dealers in April, in sizes 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5 and 11R24.5. The tire will be available as a ContiTread retread product later this year. Both the new tire and ContiTread product will be submitted to the US EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership technology program for verification.

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